As Google celebrated its 15th year as a technological giant and online search engine dominator, we reflected on the founder’s journey from a small garage in California to an international corporation. It is entrepreneurial stories such as that of Google that make us realize the potential that an idea can have, no matter how small or simple it is.

Thus, we create a mantra that every budding social enterprise should follow: “Think big, start small”. It isn’t about the flashiest, most outrageous or most international ideas, instead it is about simplification, persistence and long-term goals. We need to find ways to ensure our messaging is clear, our processes are transparent, our drive remains ever-present as we pursue unexplored territory, and our plans look beyond the current state and into the future we would like to see.

It is with this in mind that our focus on bringing ethical fashion to the mainstream market uses a small, simple idea to work towards a big goal. The small and simple idea? To pool the talent, traditions and unique natural materials found around the world in combination with fashion trends straight from runways. The big goal? We envision a world where artisans receive fair wages for the talent they possess, where mainstream fashion is made of eco-friendly materials and where enterprise drives positive growth in the poorest of communities.

It has been months since the Rana building collapsed in Bangladesh, and while the initial uproar was loud, it eventually died down. This disappointing reaction is coupled with a recent report that has indicated an increase in imports from Bangladesh, despite the increase in awareness surrounding the unethical practices of fast fashion. Is it possible that when realizing the negative consequences of actions, we are willing to go into denial and make no changes in our actions?

Research in advocacy has shown that instead of showing us the scary results of our own actions, we should try to make our alternatives seem more attractive. In our case, that is making ethical fashion look more like fast fashion. Basically this means bringing the fashion to ethical fashion. We need to make sure a consumer can buy into the movement not purely because of the good values it promotes but also because they want to. Ethical fashion needs to satisfy a consumer’s material, visual and social ends. The 2 markets cannot be isolated from one another. Ethical fashion to embrace the desire to look good.

At Shopanthropic, this is what we hope to do. We hope to bring ethically made, environmentally-friendly fashion that doesn’t just look good but feels good too. It’s not about scaring people with the images of a collapsed factory, it’s by providing them with alternatives to those fast fashion options that make them want to buy ethical options.

An interesting article that takes a look at the impact of fast fashion on mainstream fashion:

“It’s obvious enough that fast fashion brands like H&M, Zara, and Topshop — as much as we often depend on them to fill out our wardrobes — have the power to cut a serious chunk out of the profits of traditionally untouchable luxury names. With cheaper (and often questionable) labor, massive support systems, and dependably profitable distribution networks, more budget-friendly retailers can seize market opportunities that high-fashion houses miss. But, of course, this isn’t new news — not to us, and not to the executives running those giants and struggling to maintain profitability without sacrificing status. Luxury brands are taking serious measures to keep up, as Suzy Menkes explores in this fascinating piece for T, and that means changing the fundamental innerworkings of the design process.

Meaning, more shows and less lead time for designs, as well as an increased focus on resort collections, which, Menkes says, can account for up to three-quarters of annual profits. All told,some brands are aiming to put on around ten shows a year — the usual ready-to-wear collections, plus resort, couture, menswear, pre-fall, promotional shows, and often a few catered just towards extremely wealthy client bases in Asia, Dubai, Moscow, and Brazil. Of course, this takes its toll on the designers. Though there are probably a million reasons that went into the tragic suicide of Alexander McQueen, or the very-public breakdown of John Galliano, Menkes isn’t wrong to suppose that the increasingly stressful production cycle — which treats designers more like lab rats than vital individuals with endless creative license — played its part. There is less and less time for the things that often give way to the best collections: Wild and randomly-sourced inspiration and brainstorming, or just running with a crazy hunch.

For our part, we’d argue that it’s not more, more, more that will save luxury; it’s maintaining exclusivity, mystique, and a certain craziness of design that simply can’t be copied. H&M is never going to come out with, for example, a carbon-copy McQueen gown, because there are only a handful of people in the world who would dare to wear such a thing. As the aforementioned emerging markets continue to grow and look for something that will justify “new money” with taste and elite access, there’s a good chance that the intersection of the people whowillwear the more high-concept designs and the people who can afford to do so will only get bigger. (T Magazine)”

1. How To Dress French: Fall Fashion 2013 And Toronto Film Festival Give Inspiration:Vive le France! Some great images from the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) showcasing some gorgeous French trends, take a look below:

“The 2013 Toronto Film Festival is winding up and it’s time to get psyched, because the celebrities are here. However, with the arrival of French actress Marion Cotillard – who was in Toronto last year to premiere “Rust and Bone” – we can’t help but wonder a) what she’ll wear, and b) when she’ll give us her style secrets.

We weren’t sure when the latter was going to happen (the former has to – right?), so we’ve decided to pay homage to French fashion, by attempting to adapt it ourselves just in time for fall 2013. According to style stars and collections, here’s what we’ve learned. And Ms. Cotillard, if you’re reading this, yes, we will go shopping with you.”

2. Not the usual suspects: Fall fashion trends, with a better backstory

This article lists out some chic fall trends that are making a comeback including pixie cuts (Hello Beyoncé!), knitwear (kind of obvious), power dressing (the power suit!), Hitchcock heroines style (think Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief), and preppy (ivy league sweaters!).

“Free Bradley Manning! The slogan and a rough screen-print of the smiling face of the US marine, found guilty of leaking sensitive state secrets to WikiLeaks, adorned the T-shirts of models in Vivienne Westwood’s 2014 Spring/Summer menswear show in Milan. It was a touch of anarchic politics, apt for the 73-year-old British fashion designer and queen of punk and it duly captured the headlines in the next day’s press. But entirely unnoticed was another message, more subtle yet more enduring, hidden on the bags the models carried as they sauntered down the runway.”

As the wind gets a little chillier and we start to think about sweaters, scarves and jackets, Pantone is sharing their thoughts on what colours are going to make a chilly fall a little hotter:

As part of our mission to share trendy ethical fashion, we decided to pull some pieces from our collections and show you our take on some of these Pantone fall colours!

Emerald: The spring/summer teal is making a comeback in a slightly darker and richer Emerald. Add some emerald to your outfit with this handmade “Brocade” bag.

Mykonos Blue: Channel the Greek coast with this “Stars in Blue Sky” scarf made from non-violent silk. It’s eco-friendly, hand-painted, silky and ethically made by women artisans in Bangladesh! Look good and feel better.

Acai: Bring a little acai to your wardrobe with this “Shades & Hues” scarf, a non-violent eco-friendly hand-painted silk scarf from Bangladesh made by a group of underprivileged women artisans.

Samba: Bring a little heat with this “Fire and Ice” Scarf, a non-violent eco-friendly hand-painted silk scarf from Bangladesh made by a group of underprivileged women artisans.

Koi: Our take on this orang-y colour is our “Golden Fibre” Tote, a handmade eco-friendly jute tote bag from Bangladesh. A great way to carry around all your necessities during your busy days!

Turbulence: Cause some turbulence with this “Hot off the Press” Newspaper Necklace. The necklace features a handmade recycled newspaper pendant necklace with a silk cord & bomb shell hook.

Carafe: Our take on this neutral is a “Draw Loom” journal featuring a brocade cover with handmade recycled paper made by women artisans in India.

We are proud to announce that India is the first country to pass a corporate social responsibility (CSR) law. The new law requires larger companies (with profits of at least $80 million over the past 3 years) to spend at least 2 percent of each year’s profit on CSR initiatives. The government hopes this law will encourage companies to invest more in green initiatives such as social development. In order to enforce the law, the initiatives that companies undertake will be audited yearly, penalties will be assigned for non-compliance.

Additionally, companies will be required to have at least 1/3 of their board being independent board members, term limits for board members must be five years, and at least one board member must be female. Other requirements include the disclosure of any differences in salaries between directors, 2 years’ worth of severance pay for employees whose company’s shut down, and criminal liability assigned to auditors if they knowingly or recklessly omit information in their reports. Overall, the government’s Serious Fraud Investigation Office, which investigates corporate fraud, will be responsible for monitoring the compliance of the law.

As this legislation aims to ensure equitable and sustainable growth in India, this seems like a very good step in a direction that will lead to positive growth for this emerging market.

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The Bay & Harbour Blog

Bay & Harbour is the brainchild of a Toronto-based mother/daughter team with an eye for trend-setting, unique and high-quality fashion & lifestyle products.

The pair is inspired by different cultures, handicraft techniques, discrete designs, and fashion trends from their travels around the world. Bay & Harbour as their outlet to share that love of design with others.

The Bay & Harbour collections feature a variety of accessories & lifestyle products for both men & women.

The co-founders are passionate about fashion with a cause. Many of the Bay & Harbour collections also include pieces that are sustainable and / or ethically made.